Art

Chinese propaganda slogans turn London street art wall into a protest site against Beijing

Published

1 year ago

August 8, 2023

London
CNN
—

A graffiti wall in London’s bustling street art hub of Brick Lane has become an unlikely canvas for protest messages against China’s authoritarian rule, after it was whitewashed and painted over with propaganda slogans promoting Chinese Communist Party ideology.

The bright red slogans, spray-painted by a group of young Chinese artists over the weekend, consisted of 24 large Chinese characters outlining the country’s “core socialist values.”

The 12 values include “prosperity,” “harmony” and “patriotism,” as well as concepts like “democracy,” “freedom,” “equality,” “justice” and “rule of law” – liberal philosophies familiar in the West, but their meaning and application differ greatly as defined by the Chinese Communist Party.

Endorsed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the slogans are a common sight in China, displayed on posters and billboards across the country and frequently featured on state television.

But their sudden appearance in east London – and the way the slogans wiped out existing art, including a tribute to a street artist who had died – shocked and angered the local artists as well as parts of the Chinese expatriate community living in Britain who are critical of Xi’s rule.

The slogans also attracted a great deal of attention and controversy on social media, where the creators first documented and shared their work.

On Chinese social media, some supporters argued the young Chinese artists were exercising freedom of expression and applauded them for “exporting” Chinese culture and values. Critics accused them of destroying local street art and promoting Communist Party propaganda.

In Brick Lane, a cultural thoroughfare in London’s East End famed for its curry houses and a vibrant art scene, the backlash was swift.

By Sunday, the slogans had been overlaid with a flurry of new graffiti that was deeply critical of both Xi and the Chinese Communist Party.

Above the word “equality,” someone had written “But some are more equal than others,” using a famous line from George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm.” Others added “no” in front of the characters for “democracy” and “freedom.”

Other messages decried the Chinese government’s recent crackdown in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as the 1989 Tiananmen square massacre, an event that is highly censored inside China.

A grafitti wall in Brick Lane was whitewashed and painted over with red slogans promoting China’s “core socialist values.”

@yiqueart/Instagram

Whitewashed, and spray painted, again

Then, by Monday early morning, all the graffiti had vanished, painted over in white.

Tower Hamlets Council, the local authority which runs that area of London, said it had removed it in line with its “unwanted and illegal graffiti” policy. The council did not explain why it chose to remove only the China-related graffiti while leaving intact other parts of the same wall and the wall directly opposite.

When CNN visited the site later on Monday, what remained on the white wall were a few post-it notes, describing what happened in the past few days.

Leaning against the wall was a bouquet of flowers with a note signed by “an anonymous Chinese.” It read: “For the erased colors, for the silenced voices, we saw, we hear, we remember.”

But the wall did not stay silent for long.

Around noon, a young man from Hong Kong arrived with a bag of spray-paint and daubed the first new graffiti on the white wall. He opted for a quote from Milan Kundera in Chinese: “The struggle of men against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.”

The 24-year-old, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he arrived in the UK to seek asylum after participating in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests in 2019.

“What is happening right now in China is very said … it’s a disaster, but the government is trying to wipe out all the memories,” he said.

He decried the whitewashing of the subsequent protest art.

“They just tried to make people forget what happened here in the past week. I wanted (the graffiti) to stay, to be there, because it’s their chance to express themselves,” he said.

By late Monday afternoon, the wall was full of new signs, slogans and posters about China once again, with scores of tourists and local residents arriving to take photos.

Lyndon Li Shixiang, an activist from China who said he is exiled in the UK where he is seeking an asylum, said he spent hours over the past two days in Brick Lane observing events and chatting to people. It was encouraging to see Chinese people in Britain joining together and expressing their political opinions, he said.

“I think it’s a great day … everybody was coming here voluntarily. There is no organization. There’s no one leader or anything, but everybody’s expressing their dissenting views against the Chinese Communist Party,” he said. “It unites everybody.”

Chinese activist Lyndon Li Shixiang says the wall has united people who are critical of China’s authoritarian rule.

Ivana Kottasova/CNN

Intentions and repercussions

Despite the controversy and backlash the Chinese propaganda slogan has set off, the initial intent of those who stenciled the slogans is less clear. On social media, users debated whether the slogans were an expression of support for the regime or an act of cleverly subversive political satire.

In a printed statement pasted next to the slogan on the wall, the creators described themselves as “a group of free-spirited Chinese artists.”

“In an adamant display of freedom of expression, the characters stand as a silent reminder of the oppression of thought, press freedom and to free speech that is still rampant in China in 2023,” the statement said.

However one of the artists, who goes by the name Yi Que, suggested an alternative motive.

“Let’s see what happens when we use the method of socialist construction to decolonize the false freedom of the West,” he wrote on Instagram.

Many replies underneath Yi’s post were critical of the project.

“Obstructing freedom of speech is not a part of freedom of speech. The jargons you used cannot justify your brutal destruction of other people’s art,” said a top reply on the post.

“It is such a shame that you [are] repeating and promoting a totalitarian government’s political propaganda without having the guts to mention the political implications and satire behind the ‘socialist core value,’” it added.

Badiucao, a prominent Chinese-Australian dissident artist, said regardless of the creators’ intention, they were wrong in erasing other artists’ work. While graffiti artists often paint over older pieces, they are expected to follow established etiquette and unwritten rules withing the street art community, he noted.

“The Chinese creators had little respect for other people’s artistic expression and freedom of speech,” he said. “The way they presented their work is by destruction of others.”

On Monday evening, Yi Que posted another statement on Instagram, insisting that he holds “no political stance.”

“I love my country, but we still have the right to introspect objectively,” he said.

“The situation escalated beyond my imagination, to the point where I must protect myself and my family,” he said, citing severe cyber-bullying and death threats.

He did not respond to CNN’s interview request.

By Tuesday morning, the wall had been whitewashed again.

This story was updated with new information about Lyndon Li Shixiang’s status.

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Art

Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork

Published

3 days ago

September 13, 2024

Harry Miller

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.

Alleged Fraud Scheme

Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.

Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.

Massive Seizure of Artworks

In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.

Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.

Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed

In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.

Court Proceedings Ongoing

The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.

Impact on the Local Art Community

The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.

For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.

As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.

While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.

Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.

As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.

Art

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com

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Art

Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

4 weeks ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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